1. < Neuropathy

Neuropathy and Cortizone injections for frozen shoulder

Posted by sturner62 @sturner62, Nov 17 7:47am

My left shoulder got real stiff. Probably from playing pickle ball went to my primary care physician he recommended physical therapy. I went there and they think it’s either a torn rotator cuff or frozen shoulder. Had treatments for five weeks. Doesn’t really seem to be getting any better went to an orthopedic had an x-ray. They gave me some motion tests on my arm and said with a reasonable degree of certainty It is frozen shoulder Classic symptoms I didn’t have an MRI which I feel I should have anyways I was told that I should have a Cortizone steroid shot in my shoulder and then continue with physical therapy I have very occasional bouts of a fib and was worried about that, but my cardiologist said it shouldn’t affect that, but I also have neuropathy symptoms all over my body. Tingling in my face tingling in my hands in my feet in my legs and muscle spasms feels like nerves twitching my muscles anyways has anybody had any experiences with this? anybody had steroid injections for frozen shoulder with neuropathy kind of makes me nervous getting the shot with the conditions I have. I don’t wanna make it worse.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 17 8:02am

Hello @sturner62, I can definitely understand not wanting to make it worse. While you wait for members that may have some experience to respond you might find it helpful to scan through the search results of Connect for other members who have mentioned frozen shoulder and cortisone shots. Here is a link that lists other discussions and member comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=frozen+shoulder+%2Bcortisone++.

I had neuropathy for 20+ years and received cortisone shots several times in the knee before finally having to have total knee replacement. The shots did provide pain relief for a few months each time but eventually wore off. The good news for me is that they didn't have an impact one way or the other for my neuropathy.

REPLY
1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | Nov 17 8:21am

Man….I feel for you. I had 2 frozen shoulders at the same time years ago. It was extremely painful and debilitating. I did not have neuropathy at the time. Also no heart issues. I do have type 1 diabetes and discovered frozen shoulder is quite common for those with diabetes. This is what I experienced, but everyone is different. You may need something different for your situation. I wasn’t very proactive with health care at the time and just followed medical advice without question. Fortunately, it worked out well for me.

My ROM was limited. I could barely shower and dress myself. I was terrified of disability. The rheumatologist examined me and gasped at my limited ROM. She said Frozen Shoulders! She left and returned with a tray, then injected cortisone in each shoulder without pain. She prescribed PT several times per week, which was quite painful. If I had not had the cortisone shots, I couldn’t have tolerated PT. They helped a great deal with the pain. I did daily exercises at home and slowly regained my ROM. I later read some people are sedated, then the shoulders are manipulated to avoid so much pain during PT. I wish I had that option, as the intensive PT was grueling and painful, but I had no option, if I wanted my ROM back. It took at least 6 months to recover. I haven’t had a recurrence. Although, I did have unexplained sore, stiff, weak leg muscles that lasted for 1 year around that time. I can’t recall which occurred first. It resolved and I never got a diagnosis. That was many years ago too.

I hope you get more responses and are able to get relief from this condition. It’s definitely a huge disruption to your life. Best wishes of whatever you decide. There may be new options for treatment since I was treated.

REPLY
1 reply
sturner62 | @sturner62 | Nov 17 6:18pm
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @sturner62, I can definitely understand not wanting to make it worse. While you wait for..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @sturner62, I can definitely understand not wanting to make it worse. While you wait for members that may have some experience to respond you might find it helpful to scan through the search results of Connect for other members who have mentioned frozen shoulder and cortisone shots. Here is a link that lists other discussions and member comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=frozen+shoulder+%2Bcortisone++.

I had neuropathy for 20+ years and received cortisone shots several times in the knee before finally having to have total knee replacement. The shots did provide pain relief for a few months each time but eventually wore off. The good news for me is that they didn't have an impact one way or the other for my neuropathy.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the response. I’ll check the link you just sent me.

REPLY
matilda1993 | @matilda1993 | Nov 18 6:53am

I’ve had frozen shoulder a couple of times, once since I’ve had neuropathy. During Covid I picked up a giant cat I was fostering and pulled my shoulder somehow. I was in excruciating pain but it was during Covid when no one was seeing patients. When home remedies didn’t help, I eventually got to an orthopedist and had at least one cortisone shot (maybe 2 one month apart. I can’t recall). And with physical therapy it got better and I have full movement with no pain. My neuropathy acts up easily (it migrates up from my feet and affects my whole body during flare ups) but I had no reaction to the shot. Of course everyone is different. Hope you find relief from your pain.

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1 reply
daj3333 | @daj3333 | Nov 18 7:43am

I had frozen shoulder before I had neuropathy and I can say the cortisone shot did nothing for my shoulder. PT three times a week for two months and home exercises did the trick. Doctor said it might go away on its own in a couple of years without PT. PT is painful but worth it

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Diana@home | @likelife | Nov 18 10:22am

Hello @sturner62
I have had several cortisone shots for my shoulder and my knee and have not experienced any affect on my neuropathy symptoms. If only they would make them go away!

REPLY
drdianeschneider | @drdianeschneider | Nov 19 5:36pm

HI sturner62, I have had steroid shots in my shoulder and in my knee (shoulder is osteoarthritis, knee is meniscus tear). I also have paroxysmal atrial fib. The shots have never had any effect upon my heart. I also have neuropathy in my feet, legs, thighs, etc. (numbness but no pain), and the shots did not affect the neuropathy either. So I would say the shots likely will not have any effect on your other conditions. Best wishes...

REPLY
1 reply
sturner62 | @sturner62 | Nov 19 6:30pm
In reply to @celia16 "Man….I feel for you. I had 2 frozen shoulders at the same time years ago. It..." + (show)
@celia16

Man….I feel for you. I had 2 frozen shoulders at the same time years ago. It was extremely painful and debilitating. I did not have neuropathy at the time. Also no heart issues. I do have type 1 diabetes and discovered frozen shoulder is quite common for those with diabetes. This is what I experienced, but everyone is different. You may need something different for your situation. I wasn’t very proactive with health care at the time and just followed medical advice without question. Fortunately, it worked out well for me.

My ROM was limited. I could barely shower and dress myself. I was terrified of disability. The rheumatologist examined me and gasped at my limited ROM. She said Frozen Shoulders! She left and returned with a tray, then injected cortisone in each shoulder without pain. She prescribed PT several times per week, which was quite painful. If I had not had the cortisone shots, I couldn’t have tolerated PT. They helped a great deal with the pain. I did daily exercises at home and slowly regained my ROM. I later read some people are sedated, then the shoulders are manipulated to avoid so much pain during PT. I wish I had that option, as the intensive PT was grueling and painful, but I had no option, if I wanted my ROM back. It took at least 6 months to recover. I haven’t had a recurrence. Although, I did have unexplained sore, stiff, weak leg muscles that lasted for 1 year around that time. I can’t recall which occurred first. It resolved and I never got a diagnosis. That was many years ago too.

I hope you get more responses and are able to get relief from this condition. It’s definitely a huge disruption to your life. Best wishes of whatever you decide. There may be new options for treatment since I was treated.

Jump to this post

Thank you For the info good to know

REPLY
sturner62 | @sturner62 | Nov 19 6:31pm
In reply to @matilda1993 "I’ve had frozen shoulder a couple of times, once since I’ve had neuropathy. During Covid I..." + (show)
@matilda1993

I’ve had frozen shoulder a couple of times, once since I’ve had neuropathy. During Covid I picked up a giant cat I was fostering and pulled my shoulder somehow. I was in excruciating pain but it was during Covid when no one was seeing patients. When home remedies didn’t help, I eventually got to an orthopedist and had at least one cortisone shot (maybe 2 one month apart. I can’t recall). And with physical therapy it got better and I have full movement with no pain. My neuropathy acts up easily (it migrates up from my feet and affects my whole body during flare ups) but I had no reaction to the shot. Of course everyone is different. Hope you find relief from your pain.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the reply

REPLY
sturner62 | @sturner62 | Nov 19 6:42pm
In reply to @drdianeschneider "HI sturner62, I have had steroid shots in my shoulder and in my knee (shoulder is..." + (show)
@drdianeschneider

HI sturner62, I have had steroid shots in my shoulder and in my knee (shoulder is osteoarthritis, knee is meniscus tear). I also have paroxysmal atrial fib. The shots have never had any effect upon my heart. I also have neuropathy in my feet, legs, thighs, etc. (numbness but no pain), and the shots did not affect the neuropathy either. So I would say the shots likely will not have any effect on your other conditions. Best wishes...

Jump to this post

Wow, it sounds Exactly what I have except for the knee . With all the replies, I got from other people also which I’m very grateful to Get comparative information makes it much easier to make a decision. I feel like I have more Options now when before I felt like I had none. It’s good to know there are people they have the same issue that I have when you first come down with these problems, you feel alone and then you find out that you’re not the only one it makes you hopeful .wish you the best. Thanks again for the info.

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